Divine Solace in life’s Crucibles:🔥Joseph, A Cheerleader in the Crucible 

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba 

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Man can shape circumstances, but circumstances should not be allowed to shape the man. We should seize upon circumstances as instruments by which to work. We are to master them, but should not permit them to master us. – {Ministry of Healing p. 500.2}

WHILE NOTHING SHOULD DETER US FROM BEING CHEERFUL IN ANY OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES WE SHOULD GO BEYOND THAT AND CHEER OTHERS IN SIMILAR OR WORSE AFFLICTIONS.

Genesis 40:6-8

And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. 7And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? 8And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

JOSEPH WAS A SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT LIKE BARNABAS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 

Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ 

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SON’S AND DAUGHTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT IS DESCRIBED IN THE LIFE OF BARNABAS AS BEING A GOOD MAN, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FAITH.

Acts 11:22-26

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 

SPIRITUAL CHEERLEADERS DO NOT ALLOW THE DEVIL TO STEAL THEIR SONGS OF JOY AND THEY USE THEIR TONGUES GRACEFULLY TO CHEER OTHERS.

Job 35:9-11

By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. 10But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; 11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

Acts 16:22-25

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25¶And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE ANY MONEY TO CHEER YOURSELF OR OTHERS JOSEPH WHILE IN PRISON DID NOT HAVE ANY MONEY BUT HE HAD PLEASANT WORDS TO GIVE.

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.